You found our list of the best corporate gifts for employees.
Employee gifts are presents given to employees of an organization. These gifts may be between coworkers or from the boss to employees and vice versa. Generally, people give these gifts to observe holidays, show general appreciation, celebrate first or last days, or as a token of thanks. Gifts help facilitate friendlier relationships between employers and workers.
These gifts may be part of your virtual holiday celebrations, online Secret Santa or office birthday party. The gifts can act as morale boosters for employees or be included in employee care packages.
This list contains:
- employee gifts for remote workers
- employee Christmas gift ideas
- gift ideas for employees
- holiday gifts for employees
- gift ideas for employees on a budget
- office gifts for employees
- small gift ideas for employees
- unique gifts for employees
- fun gifts for office staff
So, check out the list!
Employee gifts for remote workers
From noise cancelling headphones to custom message donuts, here is a list of presents for work from home employees suitable for all price ranges.
1. Work From Home Survival Kit
Zoom fatigue, a potential lack of privacy or personal space, and an absence of coworkers to commiserate with can make working from home tough. A work from home survival kit offers solutions to common remote work struggles, such as noise, boredom, and isolation. Each kit contains items like earplugs, webcam covers, conference call Bingo card, and “pants or pajamas?” decision coin. Equal parts eccentric and practical, this gift is an ideal fit for dispersed employees. Consider sending during onboarding, Christmas, or as a random pick-me-up.
Learn more about the Work From Home Survival Kit.
2. Anker Soundcore Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones tend not to run cheap, but the boost in employee productivity and peace of mind they bring can be a worthwhile investment. Compared to the average price of $200 for noise-blocking headphones, the model pictured above is a bargain at $60. These Anker headphones contain a powerful microphone and are wireless and Bluetooth-enabled. Not only is the battery life of the earphones long, but the sound quality is solid. Most importantly, these headphones reduce ambient noise by up to 90%. While more expensive models boast more features, Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Bluetooth headphones perform well for the price point and make a great gift for remote employees.
Learn more about Anker Soundcore noise cancelling headphones.
3. Muse Illuminate Subscription Box
Due to convenience and novelty, subscription boxes are a popular gift choice for remote employees, and the Muse Illuminate Subscription Box is an especially apt option. Though intended for entrepreneurs, the Muse box contains motivational materials that can give remote workers much needed inspiration and encouragement. Each box contains motivational gifts like professional development worksheets, goal journals, aspirational decor, and New York Times Best Selling self-help books. You can buy the box as a one-time gift on Cratejoy, or order an ongoing subscription.
Learn more about Muse Illuminate Subscription Box.
4. Succulent Sampler Gift Box
While plants bring cheer and color into a home office, in terms of easy-to-mail and easy-to-care-for plants, succulents reign supreme. Mountain Crest Gardens offers an array of lovely yet reasonably priced arrangements available to ship anywhere in the US. The succulent sampler gift box contains an assortment of nine succulents in two-inch pots, complete with plant ID labels. Each box comes with the option of adding a personalized gift message, so you can include a heartfelt sentiment. At a little less than three dollars per succulent, this gift box offers an exceptional value. Mountain Crest Gardens also provides other succulent gift options, such as terrariums, hanging planters, and adorable faux mini pumpkins.
Learn more about MCG Succulent Sampler Gift Box.
5. ODISTAR Desktop Vacuum
Since there are no janitors in your staff’s home offices, crumbs do not magically disappear overnight. Desktop vacuums keep your employees’ workspaces tidy and free of dust, debris, and pet hair. These devices are tiny and unobtrusive, which means your colleague can keep the cube on the corner of their desk or easily stow the square in a drawer. The models come in bright colors like white, orange, blue, yellow and lime green. ODISTAR vacuums are available as battery-operated, USB-powered, or wireless charging options, too.
Learn more about the ODISTAR desktop vacuum.
6. Custom Message Donuts
This gift sends a special message by literally spelling out the sentiment. These donut assortments are available in phrases including:
- Thank You
- Congratulations
- Many More Years!
- You’re the Best!
- Good Luck!
The variety of the messages make these goodies a great gift for many different occasions. Angel Food Bakery makes the donuts fresh and ships to anywhere in the US. Flavors include chocolate or vanilla sprinkles, orange blossom, fruity pebbles, samoa, and raspberry chocolate chip.
Learn more about custom message donuts.
Employee gifts for Christmas
From heated blankets to beer brewing kits, here is a list of gifts to make your team’s season merry and bright.
7. Fondue for Two
Fondue for Two is a hassle free way to indulge in this celebrated melted cheese dish. This tabletop appliance consists of a wood base, ceramic crock, and a tealight candle melts and warms the cheese mixture. Recipients can use this miniature fondue pot during a romantic dinner with a partner, or during the workday to add a touch of sophistication to a hum-drum midweek lunch.
Learn more about Fondue for Two.
8. Malicious Women Co. Candles
Despite the name, Malicious Women Co. candles are unisex. In fact, the company even produces a cedar-bourbon scented candle called “Because Men Like Candles Too.” Also, if your employees work in a particular field, then Malicious Women Co.’s roster includes industry-specific scents, like the healthcare themed “Because Patients…”, a “happy hour in scrubs” scent. Before purchasing, be warned that the language on several selections may not be HR-approved. However, you can steer into safer territory by opting for tamer choices, such as “All I Do Is Win,” infused with “the tears of my opponents,” or the apple and pear scented, “I Talk to Everyone; Moving My Seat Won’t Help.” Candles usually come off as impersonal gifts, but these funny alternatives add humor and personality to the present, which enables further bonding.
Learn more about Malicious Women Co. candles.
9. Sunbeam Heated Blanket
Human icicles don’t make very good employees, I think as I type this article from inside a comforter cocoon. Truly, I envy the hypothetical employees receiving heated blankets from their bosses.
The Sunbeam heated blanket boasts ten settings so that your giftee can select the optimum level of toastiness. The throw’s quilted fleece also feels soft and luxurious. The blanket is machine washable and comes with a five year warranty.
Learn more about the Sunbeam Heated Blanket.
10. Holiday Nut and Dried Fruit Gift Basket
When I became an adult and started buying my own groceries, the price of dried fruits and nuts floored me. Most folks consider these snacks a splurge, which means the treats make a great gift. The Oh Nuts! Holiday Nut and Dried Fruit Gift Baskets provide an assortment of all natural nibbles like pistachios, almonds, dried apricots, dehydrated kiwi, and dried mango. This assortment encourages your employee to reach for a healthy alternative at snack time.
Learn more about the Oh Nuts! Holiday Nut and Dried Fruit Gift Basket.
11. Vie Oli UVC Phone Sanitizer And Wireless Charging Hub
Doubling as both a convenient wireless charger with a UV sanitizing feature, this gift packs a two-in-one punch. Recipients can use this gadget to replenish their phone’s battery while neutralizing surface germs. The device fits most phones and phone cases. Additionally, the hub is compact and easy to carry, making it an ideal travel accessory. The combination sanitizer/charger comes in handy around the office or home office, too. This phone sanitizer and wireless charging hub is available in rose or black.
Learn more about the Vie Oli UVC Phone Sanitizer And Wireless Charging Hub.
12. Pop Colors Colored Pencils
Over the past decade, adult coloring books have become a common office gift. While bookstores have sold coloring pages that appeal to adults for years, up until recently, few folks have considered giving coloring tools an age-appropriate update. Pop Colors manufacturers pop-culture-centric colored pencils in themes that correspond to popular TV shows, like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Seinfeld, and Parks and Recreation. Color names include puns like “we were on a grey-k” in the Friend’s-themed pack, or Lemonade yellow in the Beyonce-inspired “Shades of Bey” pack. There is even a nursing-themed set with color names like “scrubs and rubber gloves” blue. The store sells bundles that include coloring pages, but you can pair the pack with an adult coloring book of your choosing.
Coloring is a great stress reliever, which is why gifting a “grown-up” set of pencils and pages may help your staff feel less silly while relieving tension.
Learn more about Pop Colors colored pencils.
13. Beer Brewing Kit
Hobbies offer a way for employees to unwind, hone new abilities, unleash creativity, and sharpen social skills. The past few years have shown a trend towards from-scratch and DIY projects. A beer brewing kit is a fun and hands-on experience for employees who are curious about home brewing, but are not ready to invest the time and cost needed to plunge fully into the pastime. This kit from the Brooklyn Brew Shop contains basic equipment, dry ingredients, and step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process. This gift is a creative way to send a holiday drink to your distributed staff without dealing with the hassle of each state’s alcohol mailing regulations. Plus, your recipients get to learn and have fun during the process.
Learn more about the Everyday IPA Beer Making Kit.
14. Touchscreen Gloves
As cold weather sets in, employees face the struggle of trying to remain productive while simultaneously keeping their hands from freezing. Touchscreen gloves enable folks to shoot a quick text or check email without wrestling off mittens and facing the winter wind. The North Face are gurus of warm, but functional winter clothes. The Etip Gloves feature fingertips that let you access your smartphone coupled with a textured palm grip that promises to help you hold onto devices in the slipperiest of conditions. The fleece lining the inside of the gloves keep hands toasty, while the outer material is resistant to water and moisture.
Learn more about The North Face Etip Gloves.
For more employee Christmas gift tips, check out our article on virtual white elephant ideas.
And this post has a list of inspirational holiday messages you can include with gift cards.
Employee work anniversary gifts
From idea journals to personalized M&M’s, here is a list of gift ideas to honor your colleague’s company anniversary.
15. Hatch Idea Journal
The Hatch Idea Journal is a planning notebook that structures the entrepreneurial and project management journey into three stages: conceive, incubate, and hatch. Guided activities help journal owners visualize and actualize goals, breaking down the process into simpler steps. This journal makes a perfect first year work anniversary gift because it shows that you value employees’ ideas.
Learn more about the Hatch Idea Journal.
16. Incase City Brief Shoulder Bag
Incase makes durable, yet stylish bags and laptop sleeves that make excellent work anniversary presents. The City Brief is an especially versatile choice, since your recipient can use it to carry a laptop, tech accessories, important work documents, or personal items. Its fleece-lined pockets protect contents from dirt and damage. The bag also contains pockets for quick access to essentials, and comes in a sleek muted grey or basic black. When properly maintained, Incase bags last for years.
Learn more about the Incase City Brief 16″ Shoulder Bag.
17. Cauldryn Coffee Smart Mug
Once upon a time, the idea of ever-hot to-go coffee was just a pipe dream. Flash forward to the present, where temperature-controlled travel tumblers keep drinks piping hot for hours. Cauldryn produces a Bluetooth-compatible smart mug that allows users to set the precise temperature of the drink using an app. The mug holds 16 ounces and lasts up to ten hours when fully charged, a luxury that few folks would decline.
Learn more about Cauldryn Coffee Smart Mug.
18. Bambusi Cheese Board and Knife Set
Cheese boards make a classy and thoughtful gift for any occasion, workiversaries included. Made of organic bamboo, the Bambusi Cheese board contains scooped edges to keep crackers and sides orderly, and a roll-out drawer to store the complimentary cheese knife set. Additionally, the surface is water-resistant and antimicrobial, meaning the board is easy to keep clean and sanitary. Not to mention, if you gift this board, then recipients may invite you over for a dinner party.
Learn more about the Bambusi Cheese Board and Knife Set.
19. Personalized M&M’s
Personalized M&M’s make a great gift for a long term employee with a sweet tooth. The official M&M’s website hosts a “design your own” feature page that allows you to choose colors, text, and pictures to print on custom candy. Your employee is bound to feel like a bit of a celebrity when unwrapping a bag full of candy printed with their likeness. Personalized M&M’s come in a two pound bag and make for a unique gift experience.
Learn more about Personalized M&M’s.
20. Junior’s Cheesecake
Special occasions call for cake, and you can honor your colleague’s work anniversary by ordering up cheesecake from Junior’s. The Brooklyn-based bakery will whip up their world famous cheesecake to ship anywhere in the US. Though the plain New York style cheesecake is the classic, these desserts are available in a variety of flavors, like brownie explosion, strawberry shortcake, and dulce de leche. You can also order samplers, packs of individual cheesecakes, and low-sugar low-carb options. Whatever flavor you choose, order an extra for the office, so your honoree does not feel forced to share!
Learn more about Junior’s Cheesecake.
21. Fossil Smart Watch
Though Apple Watches tend to blaze the trail in the smartwatch market, Fossil offers chicer and more professional alternatives in its line of smart watches. The timepieces are available in an assortment of colors, metals, and bands, with a design that stays true to its origins. Features include voice-activated commands, app and calendar alerts, GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and heart rate monitor. The watch is compatible with both Apple and Android devices, eliminating the need to find employees’ phone types before purchasing. The current models run for around $250, while the older generation starts at $99.
Learn more about Fossil Smart Watches.
For more information on celebrating workiversarys, check out our article on virtual work anniversary ideas.
Employee thank you gifts
From gourmet popcorn to comfy socks, here are gift ideas to properly thank employees for hard work and great results.
22. Oreo Gourmet Popcorn
You can seldom go wrong with food when showing appreciation for employees. This cookies-and-cream flavored popcorn from Thankful Sweets is a delightful change from more standard popcorn flavors, like butter, cheddar, and caramel. Part salty, part sweet, this treat will satisfy your staff’s cravings for an indulgent-but-still-somewhat-healthy snack. The seller makes each batch to order and ships the product promptly, meaning your teammates will receive fresh, hand-crafted popcorn within a few days. The shop sells other inventive gourmet popcorn flavors, such as banana pudding, strawberry milkshake, and chocolate dream, and also offers a customizable variety pack. Gourmet popcorn is an effective yet inexpensive way to show employee appreciation. Best of all, each bag of this brand displays the word “thankful,” in large letters.
Learn more about Oreo gourmet popcorn.
23. Phin Coffee Kit
Phin is a Vietnamese style of brewing coffee similar to a French Press. The filter fits into a cup, and the drinker pours hot water into the brewing chamber. Coffee drips through the filter into the cup slowly. The slow percolation process encourages partakers to slow down and relax, providing an optimal atmosphere for a virtual coffee break. Add a spoonful of condensed milk for restaurant-quality Vietnamese coffee. Nguyen Coffee Supply ships kits that include a phin filter, a bag of Vietnamese-grown and Brooklyn-roasted coffee, and instructions to brew the perfect cup. Each package contains a sticker that says, “thank you for hustling with us!” and a blend with a name like “Courage” or “Loyalty,” sentiments that perfectly fit the theme of employee appreciation.
Learn more about The Original Phin Kit.
24. Chocolate Treat Pack
Instead of waiting for a breakthrough or major accomplishment worthy of a big gift, give your staff a small token of your thanks out of the blue. This adorable treat pack arrives in a gift box that declares, “We’re Choc Full of Appreciation For You,” along with a touching inscription. Inside is an assortment of fun-sized candy bars. If your team is not composed of chocoholics, then choose a different snack, such as the Starbursts kit that declares, “our team is bursting with stars like you,” or the Goldfish pack that announces, “you’re a great catch!”
Learn more about the We’re “Choc” Full of Appreciation For You Treat Pack.
25. Appreciation Plant Cube
This punny planter is available in a slew of phrases such as “thank you for your thyme,” “your commitment and dedication help us grow,” and “grateful for you from my head to-ma-toes.” Whether given by an employer, colleague, or mentee, this gardening kit makes a thoughtful and witty gift. Each appreciation plant cube contains a printed wooden box, liner, peat pellet, and seeds for an appropriate flower, herb, or vegetable.
Learn more about this Appreciation Plant Cube.
26. Bombas Socks
Comfortable socks make perfect presents, and warming your staff’s toes shows you care. Bombas socks are simultaneously cozy, durable, and philanthropic. The specially engineered design is extra-cushiony and moisture wicking, keeping wearers’ feet warm and dry. For every pair of socks you buy, Bombas donates a pair to the homeless population, making the gift a great way to give back to your employees and the community.
Learn more about Bombas socks.
27. Event Tickets
Event tickets are one of the best employee appreciation gifts. Consider thanking your employees for their hard work and dedication by passing on tickets to a festival, sports game, concert, or show. Often organizations can get corporate discounts on passes to these outings, especially as sponsors to the occasion. If there are no upcoming events in your area or if you want to give employees more choices, then gift season passes to a local venue, a Fandango gift card for movies, or a Ticketmaster gift card for live events. Consider also covering admission for virtual events.
Learn more about Fandango gift cards and Ticketmaster gift cards.
Employee birthday gifts
From mug cakes to balloon bouquets, here is a list of presents to make your employees’ birthdays extra special.
28. Birthday Cake In A Mug
No birthday is complete without cake, and a birthday cake in a mug is a compact way to celebrate. Each package comes complete with a watercolor ceramic mug, chocolate cake mix, sprinkles, and a candle. This kit is a mess-free way to send your remote employees a sweet treat for their special day. Gather on Zoom to sing “Happy Birthday” to the honoree, or send a video birthday serenade. Best of all, your giftee can sip coffee out of the cup long after the occasion passes.
Learn more about Birthday Cake in a Mug.
29. GrubHub Gift Card
Traditionally, the team treats the birthday person to a complimentary meal. However, your honoree may already have lunch or dinner plans, or work remotely. A GrubHub gift card offers a great alternative by letting the recipient choose the restaurant and date of delivery. This gift certificate gives your giftee the option of ordering takeout on a night when they would rather not bother with cooking or scrubbing dishes.
Learn more about GrubHub gift cards.
30. Milk Bar Birthday Cake
Milk Bar is famous for its rainbow-speckled birthday cake. The bakery will ship their signature birthday cake to anywhere in the US, Canada, and the UK. Quick shipping and quality ingredients ensure that the cake will arrive fresh and moist. The classic recipe calls for layers of sprinkle-decked vanilla cake, frosting, and cake crumbs, but the bakery also offers chocolate and gluten free versions of the birthday cake in addition to other other goodies.
Learn more about Milk Bar Birthday Cake.
31. Urban Stems Flowers
Bouquets of fresh flowers are lovely birthday gifts. Urban Stems creates elegant flower displays that please all aesthetics. Whether monochromatic or bright and colorful, a plain vase or a unicorn planter, find flowers that suit your employee’s personality and style. Depending on the arrangement, overnight or hand delivery options may be available.
Learn more about Urban Stems.
32. Party City Balloon Bouquet
If flowers are not your staff member’s style, then send a balloon bouquet instead. Party City offers an array of affordable options. Since most folks live near a Party City, ordering online and arranging for delivery is easy. Balloon bouquets come in a variety of colors, themes, and designs.
Learn more about Party City balloon bouquets.
33. Boho Bandeau
Boho Bandeaus are an appealing gift for birthday ladies. Recipients can wear these versatile accessories as headbands, hair wraps, scarves, masks, armbands, scrunchies, or dress liners. This versatility means that whatever your employee’s style, she can find a use for the bandeau. The fabric is super soft and comes in several colors and patterns.
Learn more about Boho Bandeau.
34. Subscription to Dollar Shave Club
A Dollar Shave Club subscription is a good birthday gift idea for men. Each month, the club sends replacement razor blades, saving your employee from a last-minute trip to the corner store. Best of all, the service only costs a few dollars per month, even after you factor in shipping, making Dollar Shave Club a practical, professional, and convenient present.
Learn more about Dollar Shave Club.
For more ways to make employee birthdays special, check out our article on virtual birthday party ideas.
Employee retirement gifts
From Virtual Retirement Parties to personalized glass cubes, here is a list of gifts to give your cherished colleague a fitting farewell.
35. Virtual Retirement Party
Retirement parties are standard fare for departing colleagues, but if you work on a dispersed team, then you may not be able to gather to give your teammate a fitting farewell. Booking a fully-hosted virtual retirement party as part of your employee’s farewell presents the team with an opportunity to have fun on the job together one final time.
Virtual Retirement Parties consist of fun team bonding activities, such as Retirement Trivia, team scavenger hunts, and icebreakers, all led by an energetic host. Each event is 90 minutes long and takes place in a secure Zoom room.
Learn more about Virtual Retirement Parties, and check out this list of retirement gift ideas.
36. Kindle
During retirement, your teammate will have much more time for reading. Kindles make great retirement gifts because your colleague can either buy books directly through Amazon, or borrow books through a local library. Because the device is portable, the recipient can take it along on retirement adventures, be it a trip to see the Great Wall of China, or a stroll through the local park.
Learn more about the Kindle.
37. Personalized Glass Cube
Many employers present retirees a plaque or glass award during the going away party. This glass cube from Things Remembered is a stylish piece of decor able to blend into living rooms or studies. The main display features an illuminated LED moon that shifts colors, while the wooden base contains an inscribable metal placard where you can print your colleague’s name, title, and a special message.
Learn more about the Things Remembered 3D LED Moon Personalized Glass Cube.
38. Feelcare Digital Photo Frame
Teammates often present a retiree with a photo in a nice frame. Digital photo frames give this traditional gift a modern twist. While embossed silver frames make sentimental presents, digital photo frames enable users to display several pictures, so you can pre-load the frame with a slideshow photo tribute. The Feelcare frame supports both video clips and pictures, and loads content via an easy-to-use app. As a bonus, the frame can keep communication open between the team and the departing colleague, as teammates can load new photos onto the app as a way to update and connect with their former coworker.
Learn more about the Feelcare digital picture frame.
39. Bloomin’ Bin Subscription
Gardening is a popular pastime for many retirees, so seed subscription boxes make great gifts. The Bloomin’ Bin subscription service sends in-season seeds monthly. While the subscriber can choose flowers, fruits and vegetables, or a mix of both, the exact seed varieties are a surprise, adding anticipation to the present. The service offers several subscription tiers and provides exceptional customer service.
Learn more about Bloomin’ Bin.
40. Masterclass
Without a forty-hour work week, your departing colleague has spare time to devote to learning new hobbies or skills. By gifting a Masterclass course, you give the retiree the opportunity to study a new discipline with a world-renowned expert. Classes include cooking lessons by Gordon Ramsey, writing tutorials by Malcolm Gladwell, and guitar sessions with Carlos Santana, among many others.
Learn more about Masterclass.
For more tips on employee sendoffs, check out our article on virtual retirement party ideas.
Employee onboarding gifts
From swag sweaters to screen cleaning kits, here are gifts to welcome your fresh hire to the organization and set your new teammate up for success.
41. Custom Tile Mate
During the first weeks of the job, your new teammate is navigating an unfamiliar environment, which makes misplacing important artifacts like wallets or keys is more stressful. By gifting a Tile Mate, you help your fresh hire stay organized while learning the ropes and the office layout. The device works with an app to track any object connected to the Tile Mate. Swag.com also offers the option to customize your Tile so that you can print your company’s logo or a personal image on the square.
Learn more about the Custom Tile Mate.
42. Logo Sweater
Apparel swag helps new employees look and feel like a part of the team. By presenting your teammate with a sweatshirt on day one, you solidify their status in the team, which warms their heart and their torso. While ordering sweaters in bulk on the organizational level is usually the most cost-effective option, it is worth noting that Merchology offers quick ship options to purchase a single sweatshirt that ships in a matter of days.
Learn more about Merchology sweatshirts.
43. Whoosh! Screen Cleaning Kit
New hires want to make a good impression, but a smudge-covered laptop or phone screen will not win over anyone. Whoosh! is a specially-formulated cleaning solution that removes dust, dirt, and oil from various screens without harmful chemicals or harsh odors. Screen Shine Duos come with one large bottle of solution, one travel size, and two microfiber cloths.
Learn more about Whoosh Screen Shine Duo.
44. Pop Socket Pop Grip
Pop Grips are handy accessories that prop up smartphones or tablets. The tops collapse into a more compact version when not in use, and screw off, so you can swap appearances. The Pop Socket website hosts a create-your-own page allowing users to order custom designs.
Learn more about Pop Grips.
For more ways to welcome new employees, check out our list of virtual onboarding ideas for remote workers.
Conclusion
We made this post as a handbook for employee gifts in all situations. The items on this list are what we consider to be the best options, but you can find similar products at other price points, too. The most important factor to consider when selecting a gift is the meaning behind the gesture. An employee gift expresses gratitude from management, and a tasteful, high-quality present shows that you expended care and effort when selecting their gifts.
Next, check out our lists of corporate gift boxes, work from home gifts, last minute employee gifts, work anniversary gifts, and employee appreciation quotes that you can include in gift cards.
We also have a list of fun company swag ideas, one with the best swag bag ideas for work, and one with the best corporate swag vendors.